"I've had more anonymous, negative comments directed at me in the last couple of months since Mr. Trump's election, and I don't think that's a coincidence," he says.

Basran says the other disturbing aspect of the current U-S administration's direction, is there are members of Trump's party who know these attitudes are not acceptable, but won't stand up to be counted.

He says Canadians have a golden opportunity coming up to counter Trump's negative message.

"I really think this is an opportunity for our country, during the 150th birthday, to really say we are a place of diversity and acceptance, and I think that starts here locally," says Basran. "What we can do as a city council is to continue to be an open and accepting place and really champion and celebrate diversity."